Wythe County seeks public feedback on first zoning ordinance
Wythe County, Virginia, is drafting its first county-wide zoning ordinance, a process spurred by data center development concerns. Residents are invited to provide feedback on the proposed rules, which would classify land into districts and require public hearings for data centers. County officials emphasize the need for new regulations to manage development and allow for citizen input.
Wythe County, Virginia, one of the few localities in the state without comprehensive zoning ordinances, is working to finalize its first county-wide zoning rules. This initiative, which began over three years ago to manage solar farms, has gained urgency due to the proliferation of data centers. Residents like Bonnie and Rick Graham in Wytheville express concerns about data centers' resource consumption, including significant water usage and land requirements, though they admit limited awareness of the specific zoning ordinance.
Deputy County Administrator Matthew Hankins and Public Information Officer Allison Williams highlight that the county currently lacks mechanisms for citizen input on data center locations, and the proposed ordinance aims to address this by classifying land into districts and requiring public hearings for data center permits. County leaders are actively seeking public feedback through a survey before proceeding to formal public hearings and a potential vote on the ordinance.